2008 Champagne, Billecart-Salmon, Elisabeth Salmon Brut Rosé
About Producer
Founded in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, this family-run house located in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ is now managed by the passionate Mathieu Roland-Billecart, incarnation of the 7th-generation. The vineyard holdings cover 100ha and there are 300ha of additional grape sourcings from 40 crus of Champagne. Massive innovations and investments are continuously made, notably a modern cellar of 400 barrels in 2010 and a cellar of 24 foudres in 2018, to keep its standing among the very best champagne producers.
Varietals
Blend of 55% pinot noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne, and 45% chardonnay from the Côtes des Blancs. Created in 1988 as a tribute to Elisabeth Salmon, this cuvée is made of 76% grands crus and 24% premiers crus. Dosage is 7g/L.
About Appellation
One of the first mentions of vines in the region was made by Saint Remigius, the Bishop of Reims who baptised the King of the Franks Clovis I in 496, who listed in his testament a vineyard in the suburb of Reims. Much has been written about the key roles of Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715), a Benedictine monk at Hautvilliers Abbey, and Frère Jean Oudart (1654-1742), from Saint-Pierre-aux-Monts Abbey in Pierry, in the development of Champagne as we know today. In 1690, 'Champagne Wines' were first mentioned to designate sparkling wines of the region, and it was also the first time in France that a wine was identified as produce from a specific region. Today, the vineyards covers 34,300ha in four sub-regions, Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and Côte des Bar. Within the three first sub-regions, there are 17 Grand Cru communes. While the main grape varieties are pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, four other varietals are also used in some blends, arbane, petit meslier, pinot blanc and pinot gris (known locally as fromenteau).
Tasting Notes
Aromatic nose of red berries and orchard fruits, citrus peel, melted butter, warm brioche and fresh cut flowers, exquisite mouthfeel with silky texture, excellent tension and remarkable depth, multilayered flavours of red cherry, strawberry, currant, nectarine, blood orange, apple tart, clove, cinnamon and star anise liberally laced with chalky mineral undertones, bright acidity and refined bubbles carrying through a long, delightful finish. At the beginning of its drinking window, this is a sensational rosé champagne with stylish elegance, confident poise and vivacious energy, bearing all the hallmarks of the outstanding 2008 vintage. Stunningly youthful at 15 years old, it hasn’t entirely shed its taut frame yet. Still, it’s incredibly seductive and there are palpable complexity and mouthwatering freshness that bode well for further glory to come. (07/2023)